Hello Wild Dogs!
I have been following the forum for a little while now and thought it is time for an introduction.
I recently acquired my F650GS Dakar, just under a year ago and have slowly been upgrading and getting ready for adventure!
Bought my Dakkie in a private sale and thought I was getting a good deal only to discover some latent defects, bent forks, bent triple clamps and worn out front hub...some left over accident damage from a previous owner.
Quickly found Acme Salvage quite handy for second hand spares, salvaged a decent front hub and found a mechanic that could straighten the forks and triple clamp and re-lace the rim on the new hub...or so I thought...
2 Months down the line and a ton of frustration and a few screaming matches I got my bike back from said repairs and only after paying 6k upfront as well...Bottom line, the lacing wasn't right since the rim was not cantered, triple clamps still bent...forks a little better I think...Felt totally ripped off...The workmanship was the shittiest I have ever seen.
This was going to be a huge learning curve. Decided to stick with doing things myself where possible and where too technical I would rather rely on the Dealers or my new favourite place, Cytech...Always great service and quality!
Now, a few months down the line and lots of lessons learned I am finally in a place where I can start kitting the bike for adventure! Added some wide pegs and a centre stand already, and will soon be adding Renthal bars, Barkbusters, crashbars and luggage.
Most of my riding has been commuting but have had a few day rides on gravel/dirt roads around the outskirts of the city. The next adventure will be Lesotho near the end of September and then into Africa with some mates also riding Dakkies.
Whoaaa!!
I have been following the forum for a little while now and thought it is time for an introduction.
I recently acquired my F650GS Dakar, just under a year ago and have slowly been upgrading and getting ready for adventure!
Bought my Dakkie in a private sale and thought I was getting a good deal only to discover some latent defects, bent forks, bent triple clamps and worn out front hub...some left over accident damage from a previous owner.
Quickly found Acme Salvage quite handy for second hand spares, salvaged a decent front hub and found a mechanic that could straighten the forks and triple clamp and re-lace the rim on the new hub...or so I thought...
2 Months down the line and a ton of frustration and a few screaming matches I got my bike back from said repairs and only after paying 6k upfront as well...Bottom line, the lacing wasn't right since the rim was not cantered, triple clamps still bent...forks a little better I think...Felt totally ripped off...The workmanship was the shittiest I have ever seen.
This was going to be a huge learning curve. Decided to stick with doing things myself where possible and where too technical I would rather rely on the Dealers or my new favourite place, Cytech...Always great service and quality!
Now, a few months down the line and lots of lessons learned I am finally in a place where I can start kitting the bike for adventure! Added some wide pegs and a centre stand already, and will soon be adding Renthal bars, Barkbusters, crashbars and luggage.
Most of my riding has been commuting but have had a few day rides on gravel/dirt roads around the outskirts of the city. The next adventure will be Lesotho near the end of September and then into Africa with some mates also riding Dakkies.
Whoaaa!!
